Social responsibility core of being a Muslim American | Opinion

As an medical doctor of Islamic faith, I am proud of this profound statement from the Qur'an that has defined me, "if you save a life it is as if you saved the entire mankind and if you kill a life it is as if you killed the entire mankind."

It was my father who first uttered those words to me and inspired me to pursue a career in medicine - a profession with a purpose to preserve lives which means more to me today than ever before.

At the age of 18, I immigrated to the United States from Pakistan to put those words into action. Once here, I could not resist the urge to immerse myself in the American work ethic: dream big, work hard, and you can become anything you want to be.

The United States welcomed me with the privilege of equal rights and a clear stance on upholding law and order, both not readily available to me in my native country.

Once I became a medical doctor, I was compelled to give back to the people of this country that had afforded me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams.

I started offering free medical care in hospital clinics in Virginia.Later, I helped establish a free medical clinic in College Park, Maryland.

When I moved to New Jersey in 2000 there was no question that I would continue to partake in this effort because it had become a part of my personal mission and purpose as an American.

A few years ago a fellow Muslim American, Sajid Syed, a good friend and community activist, shared his idea of opening a free specialty care medical clinic for the under-served.

Without hesitation I joined him along with a few other colleagues to envision the Medina Community Clinic.

On Janu. 12, 2015, we launched Medina Community Clinic in Greater Trenton area, a 501c3 nonprofit networking model clinic with the mission of providing high quality care to the under-served members of our community focusing on specialty care.

We are the only clinic in the area going beyond basic primary care.

The concept is simple: every individual in the community that needs access to quality healthcare, regardless of their socioeconomic status, class, race or gender, to prevent disease.

In addition, our clinic's very existence helps mitigate the overall cost of health care due to our patients reduced visits to emergency rooms for chronic conditions.

Once again drawing on the endearing words of the Qur'an, which states, that God made us in various different tribes and nations so that we may excel each other in goodness we began to reach out to doctors of all faiths and ethnicities, we invited other diverse physicians to join us whom inevitably welcomed the idea.

Currently, we have 25 philanthropic-minded doctors, most of who are Muslims, but also include Christians, Jews and Hindus from diverse parts of the world such as Pakistan, India, Haiti, Mexico, the Middle East, Africa and the U.S.

Almost on a daily basis our physicians treat patients who can't afford a medical procedure or medications.

It is heartbreaking to know that these patients from all faiths and walks of life often must choose to pay their rent or for medical care, a choice that none of us should need to make.

These patients are often hard working individuals living on the fringes of poverty that can either provide food and shelter for their family or buy health insurance.

But this is a reality right here in our own backyard, it saddens me to share that in New Jersey alone there are 1.3 million such individuals.

Our physicians donate their time and expertise providing the care patients need at no cost in a professional environment with dignity and pride.

Services range from free flu vaccines, cancer screenings, to endoscopies, gastroenterology, orthopedic services and cardiac catheterization with stents for prevention of heart attacks, among many others.

We are humbled with the level of cooperation, acceptance and support we have received from all sectors of Mercer County - government at all levels, the business community, a wide array of nonprofit organizations and health care providers, religious denominations and the community-at-large.

Although my Muslim American colleagues across the United States demonstrate their commitment to being caring citizens in a myriad of ways, there is no question that this a very difficult time to be Muslim Americans.

For the first time in my 33 years in this country, I am scared.

I am afraid for what might happen when I travel abroad or pray in public to the same God of Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Moses Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them all).

I am afraid how my children will be treated at school or work.

I fear the environment of hate, intimidation and anxiety all American children are growing up in.

And I am disturbed to think about what our society will be like 20 years from now.

I truly love America very much and I hope and pray that we will be judged by how we live our daily lives and not marginalized by those who would pander to Islamophobes.

My message to terrorist groups in the world and the extreme right groups in the United States is the same: love, compassion and caring which will bring us together and not hate and fear mongering.

As a proud Muslim American, I believe with my heart and soul that we are obligated to join hands together, focus on our similarities and not on our differences, work on the common grounds of humanity at large and combating religious extremism, misuse of power and religion for political purpose.

Even in this polarized environment, I see hope. I see various religious and social groups joining together and extending their hand of friendship more than ever before. I appreciate the many organizations making a difference.

I am proud to be a Muslim American and pray every day for the future of our country: God bless America.